Golovkin vs Brook: Kell Brook can pull off another British upset
Brook can become the latest Brit to shock the world
Thursday 8 September 2016 14:29, UK
Kell Brook has vowed to shock the world with a win over Gennady Golovkin and we've picked out five other British fighters who famously pulled off upset victories.
The IBF welterweight champion will step up two weight divisions to challenge Gennady Golovkin, the world No 1 middleweight, this Saturday night at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Golovkin is considered the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet by many boxing experts and Brook must somehow find a way to defuse 'GGG', who has 32 explosive stoppages in his 35-fight unbeaten record.
But Brits have defied the odds in the past with stunning victories and Brook can join a list of homegrown heroes...
Tyson Fury bt Wladimir Klitschko UD, Dusseldorf, November 2015
The Ukrainian champion had ruled the heavyweight division for over 11 years and was expected to dish out a humbling defeat to Fury, his brash latest challenger.
But Fury's unwavering confidence was evident in his pre-fight antics, even arriving at a press conference dressed as Batman, and Klitschko appeared to mentally unravel as rows raged about the ring canvas and his hand wraps.
From the first bell, Fury used his superior size and clever movement to torment the gun-shy champion, and any fears about harsh scoring in Germany were unfounded as the Mancunian was handed a clear victory by all three judges.
Ricky Hatton bt Kostya Tszyu RTD 11, Manchester, July 2005
The hugely popular 'Hitman' was handed by far the toughest assignment of his career when he challenged Tszyu, another fighter considered one of the pound-for-pound best.
Like Golovkin, Tszyu arrived with a fearsome reputation as a puncher, although Hatton showed the importance of home advantage as he was roared towards victory in a red-hot atmosphere at the MEN Arena.
The Mancunian gradually drained Tszyu's battling spirit by shrugging off his best punches and a relentless assault forced the Australian to quit in his corner after the 11th round.
Nigel Benn bt Gerald McClellan KO 10, London, February 1995
McClellan was billed as a 'mini Mike Tyson', with a succession of early victories to his name, and fellow power puncher Julian Jackson was twice poleaxed by the 'G-Man'.
The American chillingly predicted another ruthless win over Benn, who started as a 3-1 underdog, despite six successful defences of the WBC super-middleweight title.
Their brutal fight would have a tragic ending as Benn was blasted through the ropes in the opening minute, but fought back ferociously to force a 10th round stoppage that left McClellan with life-changing injuries.
Lloyd Honeyghan bt Donald Curry, RTD 6, Atlantic City, September 1986
Nicknamed 'The Ragamuffin Man', Honeyghan was pitted against one of America's shining stars in the gambling resort city.
Curry held three of the welterweight titles, an unblemished 25-fight record, and was looking ahead to a multi-million dollar fight with Marvin Hagler.
But the south Londoner made a mockery of his underdog status, breaking Curry's nose and his spirit before the bloodied American retired at the end of the sixth round, with Honeyghan winning the WBC, WBA and IBF world titles, the latter now belonging to Brook.
Randolph Turpin bt Sugar Ray Robinson, PTS 15, London, July 1951
Robinson is still recognised by many as the greatest boxer of all time and was expected to complete his seven-fight European tour with a routine win over Turpin.
Earlier that year, Robinson had won the sixth fight in his saga with Jake LaMotta, and held a record featuring 131 wins and just one defeat, while the 23-year-old Turpin had only fought at British and European level.
Fears that 'The Leamington Licker' would be hopelessly outclassed were soon forgotten as he roughed up Robinson, who was cut by a clash of heads in the sixth, and Turpin's hand was raised after 15 rounds to signal a famous triumph.
Watch Gennady Golovkin v Kell Brook, live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2, on September 10. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
